Navy explores hunter-killer concept using Tomahawks, UAVs

By Defense Systems Staff

Apr 23, 2012

The Navy is working with other military services to pair cruise missiles and small unmanned aerial vehicles in hunter-killer teams that can be used by U.S. special forces, said a top Navy official, reports Defense Tech.

Under the concept, special forces would employ the small UAVs to spot and track enemies and send targeting data from the unmanned aircraft to a control center that would redirect the missiles, said Rear Adm. William Shannon, program executive officer for the Navy’s unmanned aircraft and strike weapons, at the recent Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space conference. A newer version of cruise missiles, which can be redirected in flight, make this possible.

Shannon said that the Navy, Marine Corps, Army and British special forces have been working together on the concept.